Tiltable tub assembly for bathing invalids

ABSTRACT

A tub assembly for bathing invalids or the like is provided which is tiltable between a generally horizontal bathing position and a generally upright patient ingress and egress position. A reservoir compartment is presented at one end of the elongated tub in order that the same may be tilted from one position to the other without first draining the water therefrom when the tub is to be placed in an upright position. The normally bottom wall of the tub is contoured in a manner to support the invalid as well as to reduce the volume of water required to properly bathe the individual; the reservoir and the tub, when in its horizontal position, holding approximately the same volume of water. The tub end wall opposite the reservoir compartment supports the invalid in a semi-reclined or supine position and is provided with a spine-receiving channel therein in order that the back of the patient may be properly supported during bathing.

States @111111118118011 atent [191 [4 Aug. 6, 1974 [76] Inventor:William C. Cuthbertson, 108 W.

Buffalo, Girard, Kans. 66743 [22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:340,450

[52] US. Cl 4/178, 4/173, 4/176, 128/369, 128/370 [5]] 1m. C1 A47k 3/06[58] Field of Search 4/178, 176, 173; 128/369, 128/370 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 261,235 7/1882 Karshner 1. 128/370 UX643,094 2/1900 Hensel 4/178 1,943,888 1/1934 Ewald 128/369 UX 2,575,63611/1951 Patch 4/178 UX 3,559,216 2/1971 Kyte 4/178 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 51,766 10/1889 Germany 4/178 16,351 3/1898 Switzerland...472,138 2/1929 Germany 528,628 8/1921 France 4/178 Primary Examiner-JohnW. Huckert Assistant Examiner-Milton S. Gerstein Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams [5 7] ABSTRACT A tub assemblyfor bathing invalids or the like is provided which is tiltable between agenerally horizontal bathing position and a generally upright patientingress and egress position. A reservoir compartment is presented at oneend of the elongated tub in order that the same may be tilted from oneposition to the other without first draining the water therefrom whenthe tub is to be placed in an upright position. The normally bottom wallof the tub is contoured in a manner to support the invalid as well as toreduce the volume of water required to properly bathe the individual;the reservoir and the tub, when in its horizontal position, holdingapproximately the same volume of water. The tub end wall opposite thereservoir compartment supports the invalid in a semi-reclined or supineposition and is provided with a spine-receiving channel therein in orderthat the back of the patient may be properly supported during bathing.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUG 61 14 $827,087

SHEET 1 GF 2 PMENTEUAUG 6 w 3M7; 087

sum 2 or 2 llllll l lllll TILTABLE TIUB ASSEMBLY FOR BATHING INVALIDSThis invention relates to a tub assembly for bathing invalids or thelike who are unable to make use of conventional bathing facilities andwho generally are in need of assistance during bathing. The tub is of atype normally employed for bedside bathing where the patient or invalidis unable to leave the room or at least it is inconvenient for them todo so.

In bathing individuals of this nature, the matters of safe ingress intoand safe egress from the tub by the patient and the inconvenience ofhaving to place the patient in the tub before the water is added andhaving to remove the water from the tub before the patient is removedtherefrom are the most serious. In those instances where it is possibleto transfer the patient while the water remains in the tub, themechanical linkages and other apparatus needed to accomplish handling ofthe patient results in a tub that is expensive, cumbersome and not asreliable as would be a tub not dependent on mechanical action.

It is, therefore, a very important object of my invention to provide atiltable bathtub assembly for bathing invalids which may be easilytransported to a bedside or the like, and which is adapted for safeingress and egress of the patient.

Yet another very important object of the invention is to provide a tubassembly devoid of mechanical lift devices for the patient in whichwater or the like can be put into the tub before ingress of the patientand which may then remain in the tub until after the patient hasegressed therefrom.

Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a tubassembly that may be tilted between a horizontal patient bathingposition and an upright patient ingress and egress position while thewater remains in the tub.

Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a tubassembly in which the water may be put into the tub when the same is inan upright position and which can hold an adequate supply of water forproper bathing of the occupant when the tub is in its normallyhorizontal position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable tub assemblywhich can be easily moved from one location to another and which may bestored in an upright position when not in use.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tub assembly whichwill comfortably receive and support the invalid in a semi-reclined orsupine position in a manner to relieve direct pressure on the spine ofthe patient while bathing.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a tiltable tub assembly madein accordance with the present invention, the vessel being disposed inits normally horizontal bathing position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tub assembly;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, end elevational view of the tub assemblylooking from the head end toward the foot end of the vessel;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the tub assembly showing the samein its upright patient ingress and egress position;

FIG. 5 is a vertical, longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken alongline'5--5 of FIG. 2 illustrating the tub assembly as it would appearwhen occupied and disposed in the normal bathing position; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detailed view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4showing the bottom wall of the vessel and one drain and theinterconnection of the vessel portion of the tub assembly with asupporting frame structure.

A tub assembly for bathing invalids, patients and the like is broadlydesignated by the numeral 10 and includes an elongated vessel 12 havinga bottom wall 14, opposed end walls 16 and 18, sidewalls 20 and 22, anda partial top wall 24 adjacent the end wall 18; the bottom wall 14, endwall 18, sidewalls 20 and 22, and top wall 24 presenting a reservoircompartment 26 at what is normally considered to be the foot end of thevessel 12. A frame structure 28 supports the vessel 12 in a mannerrendering it tiltable about a transverse axis between a longitudinally,generally horizontal bathing position as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, anda generally longitudinally upright patient ingress and egress positionas shown in FIG. 4.

The frame structure 28 may be constructed of any suitable material suchas lightweight metal tubing to present a pair of transverselyspaced-apart, elongated runner-like base members 30 which underlie thevessel 12 in longitudinal parallelism therewith to support the same inan elevated condition at or somewhat near a convenient working heightwhen disposed in its bathing position. The members 30 includelongitudinally arcuate upturned sections 32 as the end 18 of the vessel12 is approached, the sections 32 terminating in substantially straightlengths 34 which are generally parallel to the end wall 18 and in anunderlying relationship thereto when the vessel 12 is in its uprightpatient ingress and egress position.

Means for transporting the assembly 10 from one location to another isprovided through the use of two pairs of casters 36 and 38 which areaffixed in a conventional manner to the lengths 34 of the members 30.Each length 34 receives a spherical-type caster 36 at its free end whilea conventional locking-type wheeled caster 38 is attached in theapproximate vicinity of the juncture of the length 34 and the arcuatesection 32.

The vessel 12 may be molded using a fiber glass or plastic material topresent a one-piece construction thereby avoiding the problemsassociated with sealing the joints of a plurality of pieces and whichalso permits the incorporation of a smooth, rolled upper edge 39 as wellas providing radii between the various walls to permit a smooth surfacethroughout the entire inner area of the vessel 12. The fiber glass orplastic construction makes it easy to clean the vessel 12 by eliminatingcrevices where germs and dirt could collect creating health andmaintenance problems and the smooth edge 39 affords a convenient handgrip to aid the patient when entering or leaving vessel 12.

The bottom wall 14 is contoured to present a transverse raised portion40 when the vessel 12 is disposed in its horizontal position. Theportion 40 with its inclined surfaces 41 and 43not only supports thelegs and thighs respectively of the occupant, but also serves to reducethe volume of water needed to provide the proper depth thereof forbathing purposes, it being understood that the volume capacity of thereservoir compartment 26 is at least as great as the volume of waterrequired for bathing in the vessel 12 when the assembly is disposed inits bathing position with a patient therein.

A pair of drain openings 42 and 44 are provided in the lowermost regions46 and 48 of the bottom wall 14 and are in communication with respectiveconduits 50 and 51 integrally molded on the underlying side of thebottom wall 14. Suitable tubing 53 is provided for receiving the waterfrom the conduits 50 and 51 and a shutoff valve 52 with a flexible hose54 downstream from the tubing 51 is provided for controlling anddirecting the flow of the water to a drain or other disposal receptaclewhen the vessel 12 is to be drained.

The end wall 16 which is opposite the reservoir compartment 26 definesthe head end of the vessel 12 and presents an inclined, inner face 56which extends upwardly and rearwardly from the bottom wall 14 to definea transversely arcuate back support for the occupant of the vessel 12when the same is in its horizontal disposition. An elongated channel 58in the inner face 56 and the lower region 48 is disposed along thelongitudinal axis of the vessel 12 and extends from the upper edge 39 toa point of termination in the vicinity of the drain opening 44. Thesidewalls and 22 have outwardly bowed sections 59 and 61 respectivelyadjacent their junctures with the end wall 16 to present an enlarged,oval area having a flared configuration as best being seen in FIG. 2.

It is contemplated that the vessel 12 and the frame structure 28 wouldbe separable with the vessel 12 being attached to a pair of longitudinalupper rail supports 60 having essentially the same contour as that ofthe bottom wall 14. A cross member 62 of the support 60 is provided witha series of notches 64 which receive a pair of retaining hooks 66 moldedon and projecting from the under surface of the bottom wall 14, one ofthe notches 64 also providing clearance for the conduit 51. Positioningbrackets 68 affixed to the lengths 34 cooperate with the hooks 66 andthe notches 64 to retain the vessel 12 properly positioned on the framestructure 28.

In use, the tub 10 is tilted to a longitudinally upright position andthe reservoir compartment 26 is filled with water or such other solutionas may be desired to within a few inches of the top of the reservoir asbest seen in FIG. 4 and indicated by the broken line 70. The tub is thenrolled, by means of the casters 36 and 38, to the bedridden patient andthe lockable casters 38 placed in their locked conditions to preventmovement of the tub 10 during ingress thereinto of the patient. With thepatient sitting on the edge of the bed in a position facing the tub, thefeet are placed in the reservoir 26 after which he stands or is assistedin standing and turning around to sit against the inclined surface 43 ofthe raised portion as the tub assembly 10 and patient are tilted back towhere the vessel 12 is in its normal horizontal bathing position. Thepatient is then supported by the end wall 16 with its arcuate inner face56, his spine being received in the channel 58. The patient is nowdisposed in a position as shown in FIG. 5 with the water level asindicated by broken lines 72. The frame structure 28 supports the vessel12 at a sufficient height for an attendant to easily and convenientlybathe the patient without unnecessary stooping or bending and the ovalshaped end 16 affords adequate space for the maneuvering of the patient.

After bathing of the patient is completed, the vessel 12 and the patientare tilted back to the upright position at which time the water returnsto the reservoir compartment 26 and the patient is turned around andreturned to the bed or the like. In tilting the vessel between the twopositions it is to be noted that the weight of the water acts as acounterbalance as the assembly 10 is rocked on the arcuate sections 32of the runners 30.

After the patient has been removed from the vessel 12, it is but asimple matter to release the locked condition of the casters 38 and rollthe assembly 10 to a convenient drain at which time the vessel isreturned to its horizontal position and the shutoff valve 52 is openedto drain the water from the vessel 12 through the openings 42 and 44 viathe conduits and 51, tubing 53 and flexible hose 54. Further, inreferring to FlG. 4, it is to be noted that the runners 30 serve asconvenient handgrips for rocking the vessel 12 from one position to theother and for pushing the assembly 10 from one location to another.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated that aportable, tiltable tub has been provided which permits the giving ofconvenitonal baths to individuals who would not normally otherwise beable to receive the benefit of the tub baths. The ease with which apatient may be placed into or removed from the vessel eliminates much ofthe burden that the attendants would otherwise have in transferring apatient from the bed to the vessel.

The raised portion 40 not only reduces the volume of water required forbathing but also, by virtue of its support of the legs and thighs of thepatient, prevents the patient from sliding down into the vessel whilereclining against the surface 56 of the end wall 58, thus eliminatingyet another tiresome burden for the attendant who may otherwise have tosupport the patient while in the tub.

Of perhaps greatest significance, however, is the further convenience tothe patient as well as the attendant of the facts that the tub may befilled prior to the patient entering the vessel 12 and, once the bathhas been completed, the patient may be immediately removed from thevessel 12 without waiting for the draining of the water therefrom beforeplacing the vessel 12 in a condition permitting egress of the patienttherefrom. This is particularly helpful in those situations whereplumbing facilities for both the placing of water in the vessel as wellas the subsequent removal therefrom are not readily available in theroom in which the patient is located. The use of this tub assembly 10permits the water to be placed in the vessel at some other locationafter which the assembly can be transported to the room, the patientbathed, and returned to his bed and the assembly then transported backto where proper drain facilities are located.

It is to be understood that minor modifications may be made in theinvention as described and illustrated without departing from the truespirit of this inveniton. Accordingly, the invention should be deemedlimited only by the fair scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A tub for bathing invalids comprising:

an elongate support frame tiltable between a normal bathing position andan ingress-egress position,

said frame having a lower, substantially straight section for engaging afloor when the tub is in its normal position, a substantially straightend section positioned at an angle relative to said lower section forengaging a floor when the tub is in its ingressegress position, and anintermediate arcuate section for engaging a floor during tilting of thetub between said positions thereof;

an elongate vessel mounted upon said frame and having a bottom, a pairof opposed ends and a pair of opposed sides,

said vessel being supported by said frame at an elevated level spacedabove a floor when said tub is in its bathing position,

said frame supporting said vessel with one end of the latter in alowered disposition proximate a floor and substantially parallel theretowhen the tub is in its ingress-egress position and with said bottom ofsaid vessel being upright but inclined away from vertical when said tubis in its ingress-egress position,

said bottom, ends and sides of said vessel being contoured to hold apredetermined volume of water for satisfactorily bathing an invalid whensaid tub is in its bathing position; and

a partial top wall on the vessel adjacent said one end thereof forpresenting a water receiving and storing chamber when said tub is in itsingress-egress positlon,

said chamber being bounded by said top wall, said one end of the vesseland portions of the bottom and said sides of the vessel adjacent saidone end of the latter,

said chamber being open to the remainder of said vessel.

2. A tub as claimed in claim 11 wherein said opposed ends and bottom ofsaid vessel are contoured to support an invalid, said opposed ends beingangularly disposed relative to the bottom and in a convergingrelationship as the said bottom is approached, said bottom including asubstantially centrally located, transverse, raised portion having apair of generally oppositely facing, inclined, upper surfaces disposedto support the legs and thighs of an invalid when the tub is in saidbathing position.

3. A tub as claimed in claim 2 wherein said end opposite said one endincludes an inner face having an elongated channel disposed along thelongitudinal axis of said vessel for providing clearance for the spineof an invalid whereby a major area of an invalids back is in engagementwith and supported by said surface.

4. A tub as claimed in claim 2 wherein said bottom includes a lowermostregion proximal each opposed end with said raised portion being disposedbetween said regions, there being a drain means in communication withthe interior of said vessel through said bottom at each of said regions.

5. A tub as claimed in claim 1 wherein rotatable means are mounted onsaid end surface section of said frame for rendering said tub mobilewhen it is in said ingress-egress position.

1. A tub for bathing invalids comprising: an elongate support frametiltable between a normal bathing position and an ingress-egressposition, said frame having a lower, substantially straight section forengaging a floor when the tub is in its normal position, a substantiallystraight end section positioned at an angle relative to said lowersection for engaging a floor when the tub is in its ingress-egressposition, and an intermediate arcuate section for engaging a floorduring tilting of the tub between said positions thereof; an elongatevessel mounted upon said frame and having a bottom, a pair of opposedends and a pair of opposed sides, said vessel being supported by saidframe at an elevated level spaced above a floor when said tub is in itsbathing position, said frame supporting said vessel with one end of thelatter in a lowered disposition proximate a floor and substantiallyparallel thereto when the tub is in its ingress-egress position and withsaid bottom of said vessel being upright but inclined away from verticalwhen said tub is in its ingress-egress position, said bottom, ends andsides of said vessel being contoured to hold a predetermined volume ofwater for satisfactorily bathing an invalid when said tub is in itsbathing position; and a partial top wall on the vessel adjacent said oneend thereof for presenting a water receiving and storing chamber whensaid tub is in its ingress-egress position, said chamber being boundedby said top wall, said one end of the vessel and portions of the bottomand said sides of the vessel adjacent said one end of the latter, saidchamber being open to the remainder of said vessel.
 2. A tub as claimedin claim 1 wherein said opposed ends and bottom of said vessel arecontoured to support an invalid, said opposed ends being angularlydisposed relative to the bottom and in a converging relationship as thesaid bottom is approached, said bottom including a substantiallycentrally located, transverse, raised portion having a pair of generallyoppositely facing, inclined, upper surfaces disposed to support the legsand thighs of an invalid when the tub is in said bathing position.
 3. Atub as claimed in claim 2 wherein said end opposite said one endincludes an inner face having an elongated channel disposed along thelongitudinal axis of said vessel for providing clearance for the spineof an invalid whereby a major area of an invalid''s back is inengagement with and supported by said surface.
 4. A tub as claimed inclaim 2 wherein said bottom includes a lowermost region proximal eachopposed end with said raised portion being disposed between saidregions, there being a drain means in communication with the interior ofsaid vessel through said bottom at each of said regions.
 5. A tub asclaimed in claim 1 wherein rotatable means are mounted on said endsurface section of said frame for rendering said tub mobile when it isin said ingress-egress position.